# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_September 29 30 1989_S3
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

for continued service if the bylaw specifies that the board or commission member is to be a
"parish pastor?"
In response, the CCM notes that the Bylaws do not specifically address the issue identified in the first
question. Certain precedents, however, indicate that the two categories are not synonymous or
interchangeable.
The CCM notes, for example, that in 1977, in response to a question regarding the eligibility of an
ordained pastor on CRM status for election to a position on the Board for Parish Services, the ruling was
that such a person was ineligible and did not meet the requirement of parish pastor. The synodical
convention did not overturn that ruling.
The CCM has already noted that the Bylaws do not specifically address the issue of the definition of
"parish pastor." However, on the basis of the 1977 ruling; the implication of "parish pastor" as referring to
the called pastor serving a congregation or parish; the fact that both CRM and emeritus ordained ministers
are considered advisory members; the fact that both are identified in bylaws separate from that of "active
members," (Bylaws 2.15-2.19); and the fact that the Bylaws on occasion differentiate between pastors of
congregations and emeriti who hold membership in member congregations (Bylaw 5.11), it is the opinion
of the CCM that an "emeritus" ordained minister does not meet the bylaw requirement of "parish pastor."
With regard to the second question, the CCM concludes that the Bylaws are also silent and do not
specifically address the issue. In same respects, it could be contended that civil law favors continuation in
a position to which one has been elected until completion of a term even though circumstances or
positions might change. Obviously, there would be limitations to such a general rule.
Within the Synod, and based on past actions, the indication leads in the opposite direction. On at least two
other occasions, members of the CTCR who served as parish pastor members voluntarily resigned their
positions when their status changed. It was simply assumed that was the proper procedure when, in both
cases, they became members of seminary faculties. On both the Board for Mission Services and the Board
for Higher Education Services, persons elected as teachers were declared ineligible when they completed
pastoral colloquies. It is granted, of course, that these are not identical to the present situation. They do,
however, point in a rather. consistent direction which has led the CCM to conclude that anytime a
member of a board or commission is elected in view of his status, if that status changes, the member
elected is no longer eligible. In relation to the position presently under consideration, it is the judgment of
the CCM that when a man is no longer serving in the called position of a parish pastor, then he is no
longer eligible to serve as a parish pastor member of a board or commission even though he may still
carry out many functions of the parish pastoral ministry.
In summary, the CCM states as its opinion that Dr. Drevlow is no longer eligible to serve as a member of
the Commission on Theology and Church Relations in the category of "parish pastor."
Because of the silence of the Handbook with respect to the issues which have been raised, the CCM will
be requesting the Commission on Structure to address them during the triennium with a view toward
providing future bylaw clarification.
In view of Dr. Drevlow's election to the CTCR by the convention, the CCM would also urge the
continued use of his talents and expertise in areas other than commission membership as it addresses its
many tasks.